We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Marie Cabrera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole Marie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have been making art for the past 29 years. I feel that I took this artistic path because it was inevitable, I know with absolute certainty that this is what I was born to do. What I do think about often is “How can I use this platform to help others and also, through art use my creative voice for good”. For the past eight years I have been in the education field and I am currently working at Academir Preparatory Academy as a Kindergarten through fifth grade Visual Arts teacher. Every day I try to inspire and motivate my students to work hard and I show them how an artist can use their gift to impact the world. In the near future I would like to pursue studies in Art Therapy to further my education; my goal is to combine my passion for art and my interest in psychology to help others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
[Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. ] I feel that something that I am proud of is how I am able to take risks in my art. I like to experiment not only with materials and techniques, but I also like to challenge myself by using art to explore different subjects like: trauma, depression, human rights, Puerto Rican culture and self discovery through a series of self portraits. [How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? ] It has not been smooth sailing at all, but I feel that I have so many more goals I would like to accomplish. Through the years I have knocked on many doors that remained closed.Although there have been many dead ends, let downs, financial struggles, and new starts; I feel that this journey has been full of rewards and many valuable lessons. [What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?] I look back at my accomplishments and what I actually remember is the struggle between each achieved goal and the fact that, although there were many times that I thought of giving up, I never did.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, we would definitely start by visiting local museums like: Perez Art Museum, Frost Art Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art Museum, Wynwood Walls, Artist Studio & Gallery and many other art galleries in the area. We would dine at Puerto Rican restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine (10 E Mowry Dr., Homestead, FL 33030) and Isla Del Encanto (12850 SW 120th St, Miami, FL 33186).We would also visit beautiful beaches, and enjoy other amenities this culturally rich city has to offer. Finally, I would drive out to Key West were there are many fun and interesting things to check out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is actually a small village that deserves quite a bit of credit for helping me through my journey. I know that I am where I am today first and foremost thanks to God who has guided me, my mother Magdalena Pizarro and my aunt Maritza Pizarro who were my first teachers. My father Rafael Cabrera who is also an artist (sculptor) and inspiration, my sister Viviana Cabrera and brothers Rafael Cabrera Jr. and Rafmag Cabrera who all have supported my art. I am also blessed to have two amazing, artistic friends Edwin Hernandez-Mojica and Orestes De la Paz whom I consider my chosen family. I am where I am today because of everyone’s sacrifice, love and support.

Website: nicolemariecabrera.wixsite.com/nmcabrerasartgallery
Instagram: @nicolemarieart80
Other: 786-354-8330 nicole.marie.cabrera@gmail.com